Could the Cubs call up Pete Crow-Armstrong in September?
This story was excerpted from Jordan Bastian’s Cubs Beat e-newsletter. To learn the complete e-newsletter, click on right here. And subscribe to get it repeatedly in your inbox.
CHICAGO — As the Cubs tried to chase down a playoff spot late within the 2019 marketing campaign, a couple of accidents led to a shocking choice. Chicago summoned Nico Hoerner from Double-A — his season was really over and he was again dwelling in California — and handed him the keys to shortstop for a last push.
It was an opportunity for Hoerner to expedite his studying and growth on the massive league stage, the place successful was the speedy precedence.
“We’ve been creative when we feel it’s the right thing to do for the organization,” Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer mentioned. “We’re not in that place proper now. But definitely, when you could have an opportunity to go to the playoffs and you’ve got an opportunity to win, you’re much more aggressive with these sorts of choices.
“When you’re not in the race — when you’re building — I feel like those are [times when it’s] a lot easier to be clinical in those kinds of decisions.”
The Cubs have spent the final six weeks climbing again into the National League playoff dialog, organising what must be an thrilling September for the ballclub. And that results in a query: might the North Siders as soon as once more take an aggressive method with a prime prospect who might impression the massive league crew?
Specifically, Cubs followers need to know if a situation exists wherein middle fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong — Pipeline’s No. 1 Cubs prospect and the No. 12 prospect in all of baseball — might attain the Majors down the stretch. PCA lately reached Triple-A Iowa and has been on a formidable tear one rung beneath The Show.
“We’ll see. He’s been playing great,” Hoyer mentioned. “I think it’s way too early to talk about that. He hasn’t been in Triple-A too long, but he’s playing great. It’s been fun to watch. And obviously he has a skill-set, certainly, that can benefit us in a lot of ways.”
Through a dozen video games with Triple-A Iowa, the 21-year-old Crow-Armstrong has already made a handful of highlight-reel catches, whereas hitting .306/.424/.612 with 4 homers, three doubles, 9 RBIs, 9 walks, 4 steals and 14 runs scored. That contains an 11-for-26 (.423) exhibiting in his final six video games.
It has been a continuation of his robust exhibiting at Double-A Tennessee earlier this season. In 73 video games at that cease, PCA hit .289/.371/.527 with 14 homers, 19 doubles, 5 triples, 60 RBIs, 27 steals and 68 runs. He posted a 24% strikeout fee to go together with a 9.1% stroll fee with the Smokies.
In September, groups have the power to increase their roster to twenty-eight gamers. While PCA shouldn’t be presently on the 40-man roster, the Cubs have two open slots. Given his 80-grade protection, plus velocity and lefty bat, there may be an argument to be made that he might provide a helpful function participant on supervisor David Ross’ bench in late September.
The Cubs have an elite middle fielder in Cody Bellinger, and Mike Tauchman has additionally excelled in middle and as a leadoff man for the ballclub. So, possibly like Hoerner in ‘19, Crow-Armstrong is viewed more as a “break glass in case of emergency” option for September. A projected arrival of 2024 may still be the most realistic scenario. That said, PCA’s efficiency and attributes are at the least giving Chicago loads to consider.
“Right now, we’re just focused on his development,” Hoyer mentioned. “And it’s been fun to watch.”
